A Peek at Things to Come ~ Stay Tuned…

Well, July was a crazy month, to say the least… Crazy, crazy, crazy… Isn’t that all we ever say?? I’m sure hoping that some of the planned activities for Time Well Spent will include some much-need Time Management and Lifestyle Choices workshops… In the meantime, I’m just going to have to fall back on the crazy, crazy, crazy mantra for a few more weeks (September and Back to School ~ Can’t say I’m not looking forward to that!).

I’m sure those visiting the site are anxiously awaiting the Back of the Napkin stylings of my space… Well, it’s on my to-do list. In the meantime, here’s a quick description of the areas not yet described, a peek at what is yet to come! (Click here to view the post that gives the original sketch of the entire space.)

The Private Room ~ A space for small group parties like Scouts, Bdays and Girl’s Night Out crafting as well as meeting space for members to use when they somewhere to meet with a client that’s a step up from the local coffee shop. I also envision offering the use of this space to local mission-driven organizations for board meetings on a space-available basis.

The Common Area ~ the space will be multi-functional which is environmentally friendly in and of itself. The majority of its use will be for retail sales of repurposed products, including the works of artist members through a consignment-based plan. We’ll be featuring environmentally-friendly products in the space as well.

And, read on for my envisioned piece de resistance…

The SOS (Sharing Our Stuff) Resource Center/Library

 

Today’s focus ~ The S.O.S. Resource Library – with the acronym S.O.S. standing for “Sharing Our Stuff.” Here’s a back-of-the-napkin sketch from early on in my concept development:

Those shapes that look like modern art versions of hot dog buns are actually seating areas ~ look closer ~ see the loveseats, armchairs and coffee tables centered on an area rug... Okay, now you've got it...

 

Now, it’s time for the tour! Let’s take a closer look at the space:
The Book Case

FORM: “Floor to ceiling open-shelving will be made from reclaimed barn board…” If that sounds familiar, you must have read about The Workshop! Providing balance and symmetry, the book case will mirror the general look of the open-shelving on the opposite side of the overall space. Add a classic old library ladder to the scene, serving both form and function (given my limited reach at 5’2″).

FUNCTION: I know it’s a stretch, but the book case will, stay with me here, hold books. Not just any books. Much like the donated clutter in The Workshop, the collection will be comprised of donated books, books that were intended to do more than gather dust, both in the mind of the authors and the owners. Non-fiction titles on topics ranging from self-help and relationships to hobbies, creative interests and art, to career choices and successful business practices. If you are anything like me, you’ll have plenty of books to donate while keeping a treasured few at home. The collection is already off to a good start given my own personal contribution of a couple of hundred books of my own, begging the question, “Where did I manage to keep them in the first place?”

The Workshop – Part 2

Okay, where was I??? Oh, yes, we are in the workshop:

Pretty Straightforward At First Glance...

Check out the previous post if you haven’t read the description of the form and function of The Workshop yet…

While the activities will be driven by the community of members, and there certainly will be a gearing-up process so that none of us is overwhelmed (myself included!), here’s a run-down of some of the activities envisioned for The Workshop…including, well, lots of workshops (go figure!):

Personal Use of the Workshop

Members will be welcome to use the space at no cost. Guests can pay a fee for the day. A Clutter Credit system is being devised so that whenever someone donates their usable clutter to The Workspace, they will earn credits that can be used toward using any of the donated clutter in their own creations…

Clutter for a Cause – Donation Opportunities Abound

In addition to using repurposed clutter in the trash-to-treasure manner that we are planning, regularly scheduled donation opportunities will be a cornerstone of our calendar.

Our donation opportunities will provide an organized way to contribute to those in need for those of us who live busy lives but would like to help, if only we could find the time and felt sure of where to donate our worthwhile, but no longer needed, extra stuff (clutter). By working together, (doing a little research ahead of time and planning out some basic logistics) we can get the items right to where they are needed. And, all you will have to do is drop by with your donations on the designated collection weekend. Not to get ahead of myself, but it will be the third weekend of the month, each month, once I secure a permanent location, start-up funding, build out the space, get all the legalities in place… (Okay, so I like to get ahead of myself, it’s part of my master plan!)

As we move forward, we will give where the need exists in our community. And, by “community,” I am including every interpretation of the term, starting right here on the North Shore, to the community within the borders of Masssachusetts, New England and beyond. With online connections today redefining our concept of community and with needs existing in any number of places ~ some constant, some suddenly precipitated by natural or man-made disaster ~ our donation drives could include the broader communities of our entire nation and continent, our soldiers abroad and, indeed, our fellow man (and woman and child) wherever the need might be greatest and most urgent within the world-wide community.

When it comes to old clothes, toys, games, discarded tools, appliances and the like, some of the larger organizations collecting items do certainly provide a service. Yet, I also think it is worthwhile to donate items directly where needed. In this way, we are filling a specific need and the recipient gets the donation without having to pay for it at a second-hand shop, along with the knowledge that someone cared enough to help them during hard times. I eagerly look forward to the day that my vision of a monthly donation collection is a reality. For now, I will begin to provide information on organizations that could use your in-good-condition items that you no longer need and that don’t suit our repurposing needs. Watch for posts this week for some of the organizations I am planning to research as potential recipients of our donation drives.